would the he-500 be good to start with? i am getting my tax refund and i have a chance to buy them now and get the amp and dac next month, and i have never had good headphones only a corsair sp2500 computer audio set of speakers, so i was wondering if i should take a step back and start with the he-400 or just get these? i listen to alot of jazz,rock,acoustic,vocal based, ambient,chill, and some electronic and hip hop. again this will be my first set, and another side question do they all come in a hard box case?

If ur only going to buy headphones..get the he400 as that one is easier to drive and plays lots of different kinds of music well.. The he500 is a better headphone which excells in better vocals (mids), soundstage and natural sounding bass and treble..but to achieve that fully u have to buy urself the right amp. So ask urself what u want..both are good headphones..for the music u mentioned the he500 tops the he400.. But u then have to invest in a quality amp also. Such an amp doesnt need to be expensive though!

would the he-500 be good to start with? i am getting my tax refund and i have a chance to buy them now and get the amp and dac next month, and i have never had good headphones only a corsair sp2500 computer audio set of speakers, so i was wondering if i should take a step back and start with the he-400 or just get these? i listen to alot of jazz,rock,acoustic,vocal based, ambient,chill, and some electronic and hip hop. again this will be my first set, and another side question do they all come in a hard box case?

You have a pretty similar listening taste to me. For Jazz I think these are some of the best headphones you can get. With the right recording it's like you're in the studio.

As for "taking a step back", that kind of depends. The HE-400 isn't just cheaper than the HE-500, it's also a different sound. If you can afford a better headphone then focus less on the price and more on what you want the headphone to do for you.

For example, I already have some IEMs for when I'm away from my place. Well, had and soon will have, but that's not the point. I have headphones for portable use and use in places where I want isolation. The HE-500 provides none of that. It's not even remotely portable. However, I didn't want it for that. I wanted a high-quality headphone that would give me beautiful, natural sound and be comfortable on my head. The HE-500 fits that bill nicely.

Just make sure to give it a solid AMP/DAC to power it and it'll treat you nicely. And make you want new speakers.

Also, if you really are doing zero to sixty, make sure you have the audio collection to justify it. I have loads of lossless quality audio and what's not lossless is 256 or better. You want to be in that area, too, if you're going to be buying something like this. Maybe not all lossless, but certainly a lot of high-quality audio. Otherwise this headphone isn't just a waste, it's a liability. It will show you every flaw in every recording you have. Sometimes those flaws bring character (like the slight his and pop you get on really old jazz recordings, am I right?) but sometimes it's just a really badly mastered audio file that sounds like it was done in an echoey hallway and auto-compressed to be as lo-fi as possible.

would the he-500 be good to start with? i am getting my tax refund and i have a chance to buy them now and get the amp and dac next month, and i have never had good headphones only a corsair sp2500 computer audio set of speakers, so i was wondering if i should take a step back and start with the he-400 or just get these? i listen to alot of jazz,rock,acoustic,vocal based, ambient,chill, and some electronic and hip hop. again this will be my first set, and another side question do they all come in a hard box case?

You have a pretty similar listening taste to me. For Jazz I think these are some of the best headphones you can get. With the right recording it's like you're in the studio.

As for "taking a step back", that kind of depends. The HE-400 isn't just cheaper than the HE-500, it's also a different sound. If you can afford a better headphone then focus less on the price and more on what you want the headphone to do for you.

Thx for the reply, on this statement, I want the headphone to be relaxing and laid back(i do not know if my definition of that term is different then the audiophile definition) I do want some bass but not muddy bass, i do not want it to be airy/thin. I did have the m50 now that i think about it, and i did like them, but was not too big a fan of closed back, i really want the vocals to shine, also this might be wanting to much but i would like them to do the same as mentioned to all genres of music. I have heard people say some headphones can be analytical and not "fun" from the definitions i have read of the terms i do not think i would like that either. I know about the open backs and they will be in my room with no one to bother, and i will and already started ripping losless as well as some 24 bit tracks.

Thx for the reply, on this statement, I want the headphone to be relaxing and laid back(i do not know if my definition of that term is different then the audiophile definition) I do want some bass but not muddy bass, i do not want it to be airy/thin. I did have the m50 now that i think about it, and i did like them, but was not too big a fan of closed back, i really want the vocals to shine, also this might be wanting to much but i would like them to do the same as mentioned to all genres of music. I have heard people say some headphones can be analytical and not "fun" from the definitions i have read of the terms i do not think i would like that either. I know about the open backs and they will be in my room with no one to bother, and i will and already started ripping losless as well as some 24 bit tracks.

I'd say HE500s are one of the most musical and "full"-sounding headphones out there that is still quite neutral and open-sounding, all things considered.

would the he-500 be good to start with? i am getting my tax refund and i have a chance to buy them now and get the amp and dac next month, and i have never had good headphones only a corsair sp2500 computer audio set of speakers, so i was wondering if i should take a step back and start with the he-400 or just get these? i listen to alot of jazz,rock,acoustic,vocal based, ambient,chill, and some electronic and hip hop. again this will be my first set, and another side question do they all come in a hard box case?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enkaydian

Thx for the reply, on this statement, I want the headphone to be relaxing and laid back(i do not know if my definition of that term is different then the audiophile definition) I do want some bass but not muddy bass, i do not want it to be airy/thin. I did have the m50 now that i think about it, and i did like them, but was not too big a fan of closed back, i really want the vocals to shine, also this might be wanting to much but i would like them to do the same as mentioned to all genres of music. I have heard people say some headphones can be analytical and not "fun" from the definitions i have read of the terms i do not think i would like that either. I know about the open backs and they will be in my room with no one to bother, and i will and already started ripping losless as well as some 24 bit tracks.

Great to start with ..... if you want the starting bar pretty darn high. For me, I'm pretty much wowed listening through the velours --- so much so that I'll find myself listening to the details of the magic often ... rather than being "laid back". BUT ... this is what the pleathers -- or Jerg-modified pleathers are for .... at least for me. I wouldn't call it analytical with either pads. This is my favorite headphone ... but I've never heard anything more expensive other than the Beyer T1. You can't go wrong with these. IMHO

Thx for the reply, on this statement, I want the headphone to be relaxing and laid back(i do not know if my definition of that term is different then the audiophile definition) I do want some bass but not muddy bass, i do not want it to be airy/thin. I did have the m50 now that i think about it, and i did like them, but was not too big a fan of closed back, i really want the vocals to shine, also this might be wanting to much but i would like them to do the same as mentioned to all genres of music. I have heard people say some headphones can be analytical and not "fun" from the definitions i have read of the terms i do not think i would like that either. I know about the open backs and they will be in my room with no one to bother, and i will and already started ripping losless as well as some 24 bit tracks.

I get where you’re coming from. In that regard I’d say the HE-500 is a great headphone for you, especially when paired with the right setup. I think the best description I ever heard about it wasn’t that it was a neutral headphone so much as a natural one. I’m not entirely sure what the difference is supposed to be, but the effect is that these headphones sound great with pretty much anything. The bass is good but will never over-power you, so you’re good there. I have a number of female vocalists I listen to strictly because of the sound of their voice and the HE-500 allows them to shine. Notice the allows, not makes. These headphones will not make someone who sounds bad sound good. However, Norah Jones? Ella Fitzgerald? Lisa Gerrard? Oh man, you are in for a treat! For the highs, they just sound clear and open. They don’t pierce your ear, they just tone with a wonderful clarity.

This is, of course, with a good AMP and DAC. I’m using a Schitt Lyr and Bifrost. I’ve found the combination to be wonderful. There are plenty of alternatives, I think the trick is to find a setup that’s neutral and has power to spare. If you can do that you’ll fall madly in love with the results.

would the he-500 be good to start with? i am getting my tax refund and i have a chance to buy them now and get the amp and dac next month, and i have never had good headphones only a corsair sp2500 computer audio set of speakers, so i was wondering if i should take a step back and start with the he-400 or just get these? i listen to alot of jazz,rock,acoustic,vocal based, ambient,chill, and some electronic and hip hop. again this will be my first set, and another side question do they all come in a hard box case?

The HE-500 now comes with a (nice!) travel case.

I don't know your background but overall the HE-500 is (much) more relaxing and pleasing than the HE-400 (hello tizzy treble...). It's also more forgiving and does a very good job with any genre. Technically, it is also the better headphones.

It might be a bit too slow for fast-paced music like hard-rock or metal (to my taste) but it also depends on what you're pairing it with. While I found the Metrum Quad to be slow for fast-paced musics, the (dynamic) NFB-27 is pretty much spot on.

The thing is, while one could wish it had more of this, less of that for a particular genre, the 500s never sound "off" or offending.

To my ears, the HE-400 do sound off with some music. That plus the tizzy treble --> bye bye!

If you like dark headphones, I would recommend the Mad Dogs over the 400s. They are technically more "right" (balanced) and, like the 500s, they are never fatiguing.

Great to start with ..... if you want the starting bar pretty darn high. For me, I'm pretty much wowed listening through the velours --- so much so that I'll find myself listening to the details of the magic often ... rather than being "laid back". BUT ... this is what the pleathers -- or Jerg-modified pleathers are for .... at least for me. I wouldn't call it analytical with either pads. This is my favorite headphone ... but I've never heard anything more expensive other than the Beyer T1. You can't go wrong with these. IMHO

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg

I'd say HE500s are one of the most musical and "full"-sounding headphones out there that is still quite neutral and open-sounding, all things considered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clemmaster

The HE-500 now comes with a (nice!) travel case.

I don't know your background but overall the HE-500 is (much) more relaxing and pleasing than the HE-400 (hello tizzy treble...). It's also more forgiving and does a very good job with any genre. Technically, it is also the better headphones.

It might be a bit too slow for fast-paced music like hard-rock or metal (to my taste) but it also depends on what you're pairing it with. While I found the Metrum Quad to be slow for fast-paced musics, the (dynamic) NFB-27 is pretty much spot on.

The thing is, while one could wish it had more of this, less of that for a particular genre, the 500s never sound "off" or offending.

To my ears, the HE-400 do sound off with some music. That plus the tizzy treble --> bye bye!

If you like dark headphones, I would recommend the Mad Dogs over the 400s. They are technically more "right" (balanced) and, like the 500s, they are never fatiguing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougofTheAbaci

I get where you’re coming from. In that regard I’d say the HE-500 is a great headphone for you, especially when paired with the right setup. I think the best description I ever heard about it wasn’t that it was a neutral headphone so much as a natural one. I’m not entirely sure what the difference is supposed to be, but the effect is that these headphones sound great with pretty much anything. The bass is good but will never over-power you, so you’re good there. I have a number of female vocalists I listen to strictly because of the sound of their voice and the HE-500 allows them to shine. Notice the allows, not makes. These headphones will not make someone who sounds bad sound good. However, Norah Jones? Ella Fitzgerald? Lisa Gerrard? Oh man, you are in for a treat! For the highs, they just sound clear and open. They don’t pierce your ear, they just tone with a wonderful clarity.

This is, of course, with a good AMP and DAC. I’m using a Schitt Lyr and Bifrost. I’ve found the combination to be wonderful. There are plenty of alternatives, I think the trick is to find a setup that’s neutral and has power to spare. If you can do that you’ll fall madly in love with the results.

Thank you guys for all the help, I will be getting the headphones then the amp in the next month, thx again for all the info guys, it has help me make my decision. That sucks it does not come with the fancy box lol, side question though, how do you think the Woo Audio WA7 will fair with these? i know a lot of people recommend the schiit lyr and dac, but the WA7 has it all in one, for the same price i believe, with the looks to go with it!

Just make sure to give it some time to get used to the amp and the combo. Once you do, it will surprise you.

Ok I've just collected it. Spent like 15mins on the default leather pads and I changed to the velour. It's definitely more comfy and still getting to the signature. I'm casually listening now and I suppose it needs some run ins? How long would it be? I can just turn on my pc and let it run with 24/7 at normal listening volumes.

BTW my O2 is at the "softer volume gain toggle" and it's now at only 10 o clock. I guess I can still crank it up. Should I be running at the "softer volume/gain toggle" or the louder one ?

I've never used massdrop.com before, but it sounds legit. If they go on sale, I, for one, WILL BE BUYING.

I wonder if this is true considering HiFiMAN strictly enforces that dealers charge MSRP. It would not be cool of them to do this. So i'll say right now --- i will match whatever price (if any) they come up with